Please note: This information was current at the time of publication. But medical information is always changing, and some information given here may be out of date. For regularly updated information on a variety of health topics, please visit familydoctor.org, the AAFP patient education Web site.

Information from Your Family Doctor

What You Should Know About Autism

Am Fam Physician. 2002 Nov 1;66(9):1680.

What is autism?

Autism is a brain disorder that causes poor development of language and social skills. People with autism may also have mental retardation, seizures, or mental disorders (e.g., depression and anxiety). About one third will be able to achieve some degree of independent living as adults.

What causes autism?

No one knows for sure what causes autism. It is not caused by poor parenting or immunization shots (vaccines). In some cases, it may be caused by an inherited problem or lead poisoning.

How can I tell if my child is autistic?

Early detection of autism can improve the eventual outcome. Your doctor may want to screen for autism if your child:

is not babbling by 12 months of age.

doesn't point or make other gestures by 12 months of age.

doesn't use single words by 16 months of age.

doesn't use two-word phrases by 24 months of age.

seems to have lost a skill he or she had before (at any age).

How is autism treated?

There are different treatments for autism. Traditional treatments use positive reinforcement (rewarding a desired behavior) and negative reinforcement (not rewarding an undesired behavior) in settings designed to help with learning.

No medicine has been found to treat autism, but some medicines may help treat a child with seizures, hyperactivity, or depression.